Should he decide to avoid a trial and just plead guilty, I think he should be imprisoned for life, with no possibility of parole. He should be confined in a below-ground dark cell, where the only human he sees is whoever tosses him some food periodically. He should additionally have leg irons attached to his legs. Every ten years he serves, he should be allowed out of the cell to see the daylight for a short period of time.

He is only 52 years old. With any luck, he could possibly live 30 years. That would amount to a ten-year sentence for each of the hostages he held.

I think of myself as a compassionate person, and I really try to be kind to my fellow human beings. Not this time.